Male half of the couple here! We got into this lifestyle a little over a year ago and have been loving every minute of it. A year before that, I had started on a journey of trying to get healthier. Hypertension runs in my family and close relatives have had heart attacks as early as 38. You never would have guessed it by looking at them either.

I was at that same age with some unhealthy habits, excessive drinking (functional alcoholic, really…which is also common in my family), too much fast food and a lover of red meat. It also didn’t help that I’ve always struggled to maintain a regular fitness routine and work a sedentary job from home. For a year I struggled and didn’t make much progress. Seemed like it was impossible to make the types of changes I knew I needed to make.

It was at the start of 2023 that I decided to see a therapist to get help. And literally within a few weeks of that is when we decided to start exploring this lifestyle. Timing was a complete coincidence. She was able to actually help with navigating both areas and helped us both to utilize the lifestyle as a motivating factor.

Now, my partner is pretty hot already, but she has her own insecurities and health concerns related to diet that she’s struggled with as well. We’ve both been blessed with good enough genes that outward signs of those conditions aren’t all that visible, but it doesn’t change the fact that we are sensitive to them and want to be healthy for one another. To live together for a good time and a long time.

After our first experience, we were blown away. As we started going out and meeting more couples, we found ourselves feeling intimidated by some others who we would have liked to connect with. But ya know, self-confidence issues. Anyway, it became a bit motivator for us. We wanted to be the best we could for one another because neither of us wants to be the reason the other can’t connect with someone they’re attracted to (we only play together).

She went sober right away, while I’ve been able to gradually cut back. Just cut it out completely about a month ago myself. (Love that most clubs are BYOB!) We’ve both been much better with diet and with our own workout routines. Turns out there seems to be a decent amount of overlap between this community and the CrossFit community! Found out recently that the first couple we ever swapped with goes to the same gym as us, just a different location across town.

Being part of this has brought us closer together in so many ways. And it’s drastically improved our health. I feel better now at 40 than I did at 30 and feel like it’s just getting started. And we’ve both found new levels of self-confidence. My partner in particular used to deal with very high levels of social anxiety, especially at company happy hours and such. And she’s struggled to say no at work when at max capacity. Learning to connect with people at parties, get naked, have fun, and be clear about boundaries has made it so much easier for her to advocate for herself at work. And to forge better relationships without that layer of stress.

It’s just amazing to me how much better our lives have become in so many ways as a direct result of this lifestyle. And that’s not even touching on how amazing the people and community themselves are. We’ve met some of the most amazing people from all walks of life that we never would have met otherwise. And the community here has been incredibly supportive. We try to be active here when time allows to support others, especially those new to it all. And we’re actively looking for ways to support it and make it even better. Especially as it grows and starts becoming more socially acceptable.

Anyway, that’s our year in reflection. Just wanted to share and say thank you! So, thank you all!!!